Coldwell was a right-arm fast-medium bowler who was, for a few years in the early to mid-1960s, half of a respected and feared new-ball partnership in English county cricket.

Born in Newton Abbot, Coldwell was a Devonian who played Minor Counties cricket before being signed by Worcestershire in 1955.

[1] Inclined to be expensive in his early years, and one of a pack of medium to fast-medium bowlers competing to be Flavell's new-ball partner at Worcester, he came to the fore in 1960 when his rivals, Aldridge and Pearson, were accused of having suspect bowling actions.

In 1962, when Flavell was injured for part of the season, Coldwell bowled more than 1,100 overs and was himself picked for two Tests, and the county finished second, its highest ever position at that time.

But he was increasingly affected by hip and knee injuries,[1] and his wicket tally declined across the later 1960s, and he retired during the 1969 season, returning to Devon.